Ricky Ponting backs Australia to turn things around

Mumbai: While the critics are ripping apart Australia following their abysmal show to lose the three-match Test series against South Africa, former skipper Ricky Ponting has jumped in defence of Steve Smith and Co.

The three-time World Cup-winner Ponting asked Australian cricket team fans to keep calm and don’t be worried about how the team will fare in the 2017-18 Ashes.
Ponting admitted that the team is having a tough time in the middle. However, he said that there is quality in the side.

"They've been ordinary in the seven days of Test cricket we've seen so far this summer, on the back of some ordinary Test cricket in Sri Lanka. Over the last couple of months they haven't performed anywhere near what they had for the period of time before that," Ponting told BT Sport.

“(But) they're still the No.1 ranked one-day international side (and) the No.3 ranked Test side. There's enough quality there and they've shown over the last couple of years what they are capable of," added Ponting.

The Steve Smith-led side was crushed to defeat as Proteas won the Hobart Test by an innings and 80 runs. The win also enabled South Africa to seal their third consecutive Test series win Down Under.

Australia were knackered in the opening Test at Perth as their batting crumbled. While South Africa lost Dale Steyn midway through the first Test after the pacer injured his shoulder, Kagiso Rabada rattled Aussies as the Faf du Plessis-led unit won at WACA by 177 runs. The visitors bettered their show in the second Test. Kyle Abbott, who was called in as Steyn’s replacement, scalped nine wickets in the match; including six in the second innings. Although Hobart wicket assisted the pacers, critics felt that Australians were below par as they bundled out for 85 runs in the first innings.

"Right now, you would think the England team are playing better than current Australian team. (But) anything could happen with the Aussie team between now and 12 months' time when England will be in Australia,” said Ponting.

"You'd like to think we have a few of those fast bowlers back from injury and there might be a few different batsmen in that batting line-up. The bottom line is they need to have their best players playing well. (Captain Steve) Smith and (vice-captain David) Warner need to lead the way. I think (Usman) Khawaja will be around for that time, I honestly believe he can be a 10-year Test player for Australia," added Ponting.

Although they are the number one side in ODIs, the Aussies are having a rough ride in the longer format of the game. The team was clean swept in Sri Lanka in the three-match Test series and their poor show continued even after they returned home as South Africa clinched the three-match series with one Test still to be played in Adelaide.